Rias: If you can find the legendary Meidō Stone, you'll be able to open a passage directly to it.
Rias: But…
Rias: It hasn't been seen in a long time.
"Meidō Stone huh?"
Lynn looked at Rias' message on his phone and narrowed his eyes in thought.
There may not be one in the modern era, but in ancient times…
He happened to know a place.
The Dog Demon Clan in the Western Lands.
Lady Sesshōmaru's mother—Inukimi.
"It looks like a visit there is necessary."
…
Western Lands.
The battlefield between the Dog Demon Clan and the Panther Tribe was soaked in blood.
"Kill!!"
"Stupid mutts of the Dog Clan! Let us show you the might of the Panthers today!"
Boom!!
Flesh and blood were torn apart amidst the cries of slaughter.
The sounds of carnage echoed endlessly.
The warriors of the Panther Tribe, bloodlust in their eyes, tore into the Dog Clan with fangs and claws, their massive forms charging across the yellow sands.
But the Dog Demons were not to be outdone, revealing their true monstrous forms one after another.
Agony, screams, and feverish cries of excitement filled the air.
And behind the Dog Demon forces.
A slender figure stood among the towering monsters.
Long silver hair flowed behind him, ice-cold golden eyes focused forward. Two crimson stripes flared on his cheeks like searing karma flames.
A crescent moon of icy blue shimmered on his forehead.
"Lord Sesshōmaru, the Panther Tribe is on its last legs!"
"Under your leadership, the Western Lands will soon know only one ruler!"
Flattering voices rang in his ears, but Sesshōmaru didn't react. His golden gaze swept over the battlefield—disinterest flashing in his eyes.
The Panther Tribe… was barely worth his time.
He stood still, observing quietly.
Until.
"The chieftain's here!"
"Our leader has entered the battle!!"
"Hahaha, time for the Dog Clan to die! You're finished now!"
"With our chief in play, victory is ours!"
A sudden shift shook the battlefield.
A massive shadow descended—an enormous panther demon, over dozens of meters tall, crashed into the fight.
Boom!!
Waves of sand surged into the sky!
Roar—!!
The panther's eyes glowed crimson. With a swipe of his claw, dozens of Dog Demons were shredded into pieces!
"…Hoh?"
Sesshōmaru's eyes lit up.
"At last… a worthy opponent."
In a flash, his figure disappeared.
He reappeared midair, directly above the Panther Chieftain.
With a burst of overwhelming demonic energy, Sesshōmaru brought his fist down on the panther's skull.
Bang!!
A dull explosion rang out.
The panther's head caved in, his eyes bulging outward.
"It's Sesshōmaru!"
"Lord Sesshōmaru has entered the battle!!"
The Dog Demons roared with excitement.
"It's the terrifying noble heir!"
The Panthers' voices trembled with fear.
They had good reason—this guy was a killing machine!
"You little brat…"
The Panther Chieftain snarled, feeling humiliated at being struck like that.
"When I killed your father, you weren't even born yet!"
Buzz.
The moment he spoke, his body erupted into azure flames.
Sesshōmaru narrowed his eyes and backed off, flying into the air with demonic power.
The Panther Chieftain chased after him, riding demon fire into the sky!
Seeing this, Sesshōmaru revealed his true form.
Boom!!
The two enormous monsters clashed, unleashing shockwaves that scattered the surrounding beasts!
For a moment, neither could gain the upper hand.
Suddenly.
A loud explosion rocked the battlefield.
A figure, trailing a blazing tail, crashed into the center like a meteor!
The impact tore a massive crater into the sand, crushing dozens of monsters instantly!
Blood soaked the ground.
Sesshōmaru's pupils contracted. In his true form, he was blown backward from the shockwave.
The Panther Chieftain also fell, dazed from the blast.
Pfft!
Coughing up yellow sand, he glared toward the crater's center.
Sesshōmaru returned to his human form, golden eyes narrowing with icy focus.
As the dust cleared.
A figure with black hair and crimson eyes emerged.
Lynn smiled politely. "Can someone tell me where I can find Lady Inukimi?"
Having sensed the Dog Demons' presence, Lynn dropped in directly.
Looking for my mother?
Sesshōmaru's brow twitched subtly.
"Ha? Are you that woman's new lover?!"
The Panther Chieftain sneered, baring his fangs.
"You dare interrupt my battle?!"
In a flash, he blurred toward Lynn, giant claws swiping viciously!
Lynn glanced up and shook his head. "The locals are so rude."
Then.
Boom!!
The Panther Chieftain's enormous body twisted, contorted, and exploded!
Scarlet blood sprayed across the sky!
Sesshōmaru's eyes narrowed sharply.
I didn't see it.
What just happened?
"T-The Chieftain??"
The Panthers stared in shock.
In the blink of an eye…
Their mighty leader was turned into meat?!
"Now then—can someone tell me where Inukimi is?"
Lynn wore a casual smile.
But to the Dog Demons and Panthers, it was like death itself was smiling at them.
Silence fell.
Lynn sighed, a little bored.
Then his crimson gaze landed on Sesshōmaru.
Sesshōmaru flinched instinctively.
His body reacted with fear, on its own.
A first.
His hand tightened subconsciously around his sword.
But.
Huh?
Surprise flickered in his eyes.
…My sword?
Lynn was twirling it casually.
…Tenseiga?!
Sesshōmaru: "…"
"Is this Tenseiga?"
With a wave, Lynn casually dispatched several spirit messengers who had come to collect souls from the battlefield.
And then.
The monsters that had already died blinked in confusion… and rose from the ground.
Only those with intact corpses stood again.
"Interesting…"
Lynn smiled.
But—
What happens when a world has no defined Underworld?
This would throw the system into imbalance, wouldn't it?
Then again…
The Underworld was in civil unrest. No one was enforcing order.
So loopholes could be exploited.
Still, once you've taken something, there's no need to return it.
He'd just bring these things back for his Peerage to study.
Maybe they'd discover something new.
As for Inukimi.
Lynn looked up and smiled faintly. "There you are."
A streak of moonlight descended from the skies.
Silver hair flowed like starlight, reaching her ankles. A deep violet crescent moon shone coldly on her forehead, and two vermilion demon marks adorned her cheeks.
Inukimi's expression was calm and regal.
The moment she sensed the battle's shift, she rushed over.
Her cherry lips parted. Her voice was elegant and cold.
"May I ask what business you have with me?"
"I'm here to borrow the Meidō Stone to the Underworld."
Lynn got straight to the point.
"…The Meidō Stone."
Inukimi studied Lynn, then calmly removed the blue crystal from around her neck.
Without hesitation, she tossed it to him.
Sesshōmaru opened his mouth to speak, but her sharp gaze silenced him.
This man was not someone their clan could afford to offend.
Better to stay quiet.
Besides…
Inukimi had her own questions for Lynn.
The violet crescent on her forehead pulsed faintly. Her cold voice rang out once more.
"You're not from this era… are you?"
"Oh?"
Lynn, surprised, looked at the mark on her forehead.
Was it because of that?
"You're right."
He saw no need to lie.
As expected.
Her eyes glimmered. "Since I gave you the Meidō Stone… may I ask something?"
"Sure," Lynn replied casually.
"Does the Western Dog Demon Clan still exist in your time?"
Lynn smiled. "I've never heard of it."
Inukimi stiffened and fell into silence.
So the Western Dog Demon Clan…
Was already gone?
She touched her temple, the sorrow briefly surfacing on her otherwise cold face.
She still cared about the fate of her clan's bloodline.
As their princess, that was her duty.
Lynn studied her with interest.
The [Evil Piece] skill glowed on his panel.
This woman… was also a valuable talent for his Peerage.
And.
If a Great Youkai like her was reincarnated as a devil…
She'd surely become a Ultimate-Class Devil.
He had to find a way to recruit her.
Inukimi was quiet for a moment, then spoke.
"Your Excellency… do you have a way to bring others through time?"
Lynn's eyes gleamed.
"Oh? You want me to take the Dog Demon Clan into the future?"
That's right.
After learning her clan would be lost in history, Inukimi came up with this solution.
If the Dog Demons could spread across different timelines…
They would never go extinct.
But that would depend on the man before her.
Inukimi's golden eyes stared at Lynn nervously.
He touched his chin and suddenly smiled. "I could… but…"
"A mere Meidō Stone doesn't cover the price."
Inukimi: "…"
She took a deep breath. "What do you want? Whatever the Dog Demon Clan has, I will offer."
They were rich, after all.
Lynn paused for a moment, then smiled slyly. "Are you sure?"
Inukimi suddenly felt uneasy.
Why…
Did something feel off?
Still…
For the sake of her clan's survival.
Her gaze turned resolute. "I'm sure."
(To be continued.)
***
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